Proven SEO Tips to Uplift Your Law Firm's Rankings in 2016

If there is one thing that is constantly changing with Internet, it's Google's search engine algorithm. For this reason, knowing and applying current SEO techniques that have been proven to work for long-term (and possibly the next few years) can help to ensure your law firm stays ahead of the game in this highly competitive industry.

While some of the most powerful SEO stratgies of the past may have worked for a year or two (only to become target of Google's Panda and Penguin algo updates,) some SEO strategies have been proven effective, sustainable, and safe for the long haul. Below are five SEO tips that proven effective to help uplift your law firm's rankings for 2016 and beyond.

1. Content Marketing

Google knows that good content provides value which is the reason why it rewards websites that have it. It is not enough to apply basic SEO techniques to your current content such as having a certain keyword density, etc.

According to the latest Google Panda update, high quality content that goes beyond 1,000 words can make a site go up in ranking - at least to some extent. In the field of law, you can educate your prospect clients at the same time you offer your services which can also helps you get leads.

Having this type of content can allow your firm to build a reputation for itself which has a twofold benefit since people may decide to go to your site any time they need information about certain law-related topics. Content marketing isn't limited to written content, though. Posting infographics, informative videos, etc. are sometimes better ways to engage your audience.

2. Mobile-friendly Website

On May 2015 Google confirmed that more searches are being made on smartphones than on desktops. What this means is that if your firm doesn't have a mobile-friendly design, it may not have the results you are expecting. A responsive design is essentially a requirement for not just SEO but also web presence optimization as a whole. The way your present your website's content and services on a smartphone can't be the same way you present it on a desktop which is the reason why you should not take this step slightly.

3. Schema Markup

Although schema markup isn't very popular, it is right now one of the best ways to improve your rankings. Schema markup is a code that allows Google to provide more information about your website to people. For instance, schema markup can tell search engines if your content relates to articles or events or local businesses, etc. to help it rank in the most convenient way for users.

According to some studies, only 0.3% of websites use it and those that use it generally rank four positions above those that don't use it. If there's a way you can get ahead of the game in your industry is applying schema markup to your site.

4. Social Media

Social media sites are the second most visited sites after search engines themselves. Having business pages in the most popular social networks (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) and connecting with your prospect and current clients as well as having social media buttons in your website and providing links on your blog can boost your rankings.

Google knows that going social is a trend that can always stay active. Remember to encourage your visitors to like and share your content. This brings more social value to your content, and thus bring greater SEO value to your content.

5. Voice Search

SEO never before considered voice search. However, with more operating systems providing it, this issue can no longer be left aside. Apple, Google, and Windows devices have their own versions of voice search, your content and website in general should be voice search friendly.

How is this done? posting articles in your blog answering questions (what, who, why, how, when, where) is the best ways to rank in these types of searches.